72 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 84 



Gill openings restricted laterally, the upper end in front of upper 

 pectoral ray, extending obliquely downward and forward to below 

 base of lower pectoral ray, the aperture longer than width of the base 

 of the pectoral fin. Origin of dorsal fin above tip of appressed pec- 

 toral, the fin of medium height and joined to caudal at base. Anal 

 similar to dorsal but much shorter, also joined to caudal by membrane. 

 Scales very small, covering body and head except snout and lower 

 jaw; the rows of scales at the base of the vertical fins diverging out- 

 ward and backward following the course of the upper myomeric 

 depressions. Scales with 25 radiating striae. Myom.eres evident, 

 31 body and 37 caudal =68 muscular impressions. Vertebrae, 28 

 body and 34 caudal = 62. Color plain light brownish, fins translucent. 



Two specimens, 174 and 207 mm in standard length; taken with a 

 jackhght at night in the outlet of Calcasieu Lake, Cameron, La. 

 U.S.N.M. no. 64157 (type) and no. 64158 (paratype). 



This species is most closely related to M. affinis Meek and Hilde- 

 brand, agreeing in the number of body and caudal vertebrae as well 

 as fin rays, but differs notably in the position of the vent and in pro- 

 portional measurements. 



U. S. GOVERNMENT rRINTINS OFFICEt l»Sf 



